Abstract: A method of producing a large volume of Lactobacillus bacteria and increasing the activity of the obtained Lactobacillus is provided. The Lactobacillus is prepared by culturing in a culture medium and adding an alkaline chemical while controlling the pH, and sterilizing the Lactobacillus by applying stress in the later stage of the cultivation so as to produce Lactobacillus having the ability to induce IL-12 production. Applying stress is selected from the group consisting of: (a) cultivating without adding an alkaline chemical; (b) cultivating at a temperature range in which propagation is suppressed; (c) cultivating by adding 1% by weight or more of salt; and/or (d) cultivating at pH of 5 or below.

Abstract: Cells of lactic acid bacteria, which have been obtained by controlling pHs of media in a culturing step and processing steps to a neutral range of, for example, from 5 to 8 or so, have a mode value (particle size) of 1.0 ?m or smaller in their particle size distribution. Cells of nano-sized lactic acid bacteria which have such a small particle size are excellent in INF-? producing capacity and are also superb in water dispersibility.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a safe antidiarrheal agent and a method for suppressing diarrhea by which an efficient antidiarrheal effect is achieved without using antibiotics or synthetic antibacterial agents that have been conventionally used against infections in livestock and poultry. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic infections can also be prevented and treated by the present invention. The antidiarrheal agent for livestock and poultry comprising heat-killed bacteria of Enterococcus faecalis EC-12 (FERM ABP-10284) or a treated product thereof as an active ingredient is orally administered to livestock and poultry, particularly to breast-feeding sows and piglets around the weaning period.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a safe antidiarrheal agent and a method for suppressing diarrhea by which an efficient antidiarrheal effect is achieved without using antibiotics or synthetic antibacterial agents that have been conventionally used against infections in livestock and poultry. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic infections an also invented aid treated by the present invention. The antidiarrheal agent for livestock and poultry comprising heat-killed bacteria of Enterococcus faecalis EC-12 (FERM ABP-10284) or a treated product thereof as an active ingredient is orally administered to livestock and poultry, particularly to breast-feeding sows and piglets around the weaning period.

Abstract: A nipple apparatus 10 comprises a nipple 11, and a nipple holding member 15 for holding the nipple 11. A liquid permeating member 25 is provided in the nipple holding member 15, and cap 17 is also provided at the nipple holding member 15. In the cap 17, a drug container 20 covered with a film 21 is housed. Upon engagement of the cap 17 with the nipple holding member 15, a projection 19 at the nipple holding member 15 sticks the film 21.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing bread containing an oligosaccharide characterized by mixing an oligosaccharide expressed by the formula: Gal--(Gal).sub.n --Glc (wherein Gal denotes a galactose residue, Glc denotes a glucose residue and n denotes one of the integers from 1 to 4) in a raw material used for producing bread.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an easy, rapid method for screening a great amount of substances having IgA induction potential. The IgA induction potential herein mentioned means the potential to activate and enhance the activity of IgA production cells to produce secretory-type IgA in response to antigen. The present invention is to provide bacterial strains of genus Bifidobacterium obtained by the method for screening substances having IgA induction potential. More specifically, the present invention is to provide Bifidobacterium longum YIT 4062, Bifidobacterium breve YIT 4063 and Bifidobacterium breve YIT 4064. The three strains obtained by the present invention have high IgA induction potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing bread containing an oligosaccharide characterized by mixing an oligosaccharide expressed by the formula: Gal-(Gal).sub.n -Glc (wherein Gal denotes a galactose residue, Glc denotes a glucose residue and n denotes one of the integers from 1 to 4) in a raw material used for producing bread.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mixture of galactooligosaccharides having the following formula:Gal-(Gal)n-Glcwhere Gal represents a galactose residue, Glc represents a glucose residue, and n represents an integer between 1 and 4, and monosaccharides by having microorganisms containing .beta.-galactosidase or .beta.-galactosidase act on lactose, the method comprising:having glucose isomerase coexist in a liquid to be reacted or adding glucose isomerase after completion of the reaction, whereby a portion of glucose prepared by the .beta.-galactosidase processing is converted into fructose. Then, sweetener is prepared by separating monosaccharides from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing oligosaccharides by the reaction between lactose and .beta.-galactosidase from aspergillus oryzae in which an concentration of lactose in an enzyme reaction mixture is between 50 and 90% (w/v) and a reaction temperature is within the range of 55.degree. C. to the temperature at which the .beta.-galactosidase in the reaction mixture is inactivated. This invention therefore makes it possible to obtain the sugar mixture containing high-purity oligosaccharides, small amounts of unreacted lactose and by produced monosaccharides.

Abstract: A method for producing a processed milk containing galactooligosaccharide. An animal milk is treated with a .beta.-galactosidase derived from Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactobacillus bulgaricus so as to change, at least 15% of the lactose contained in the animal milk, into galactooligosaccharide expressed by the following general formula:Gal-(Gal).sub.

Abstract: A method for producing oligosaccharides which are represented by the general formula Gal-(Gal)n-Glc (where Gal is a galactose residue, Glc is a glucose residue, and n is an integer from 1 to 4) which is characterized in that lactose or a lactose-containing substance is treated with at least two kinds of .beta.-galactosidases which are produced by different microorganisms. The present invention provides a method of producing oligosaccharides to obtain sweet saccharide mixture which provide sweetness and add oligosaccharides to food and drinks, with a lower increase in calories than that of conventional additives.

Abstract: A liquid food comprising polydextrose and oligosaccharides which are hard to digest and easy to ferment is provided. This liquid food has excellent effect for relieving constipation.